4 ON THE FLOOR

 

What’s should only have two wheels but has four? The Quadro4 that’s what, the new four-wheeled scooter designed in Switzerland and if the Swiss like ‘em there can’t be anything at all wrong with them. Let’s face it the Swiss aren’t exactly keen on anything with an internal combustion engine; it plays havoc with their cuckoo clocks so it seems. The other up side to a scooter with four wheels is that you can ride it on a car driving license since the Quadro4 has……oh yeh, four wheels!

 

 

 

 

Invited to give one a whirl by Hayley over at DTM Panther Trikes at Liversedge in Yorkshire, the Aged Rocker was greeted by the pleasures of a spring morning, snow, hail, ice, rain and sub-zero temperatures which all added up to the briefest of test rides. Best known for converting Honda Goldwings, Harley-Davidsons and other big bruiser bikes into three-wheeled masterpieces, Hayley and her dad have now added the Quadro range to their portfolio which means both the 3 and the 4 are now available. However, it didn’t alter the fact that the Quadro4 is a serious piece of kit which for just under nine grand has some serious potential as economical daily transport or an enjoyable and seriously different source of weekend touring entertainment.

 

 

 

 

Described by its makers as the first SUV or Safe Utility Vehicle, this ‘twist-and-go’ scooter provides the rider with the unique Hydraulic Tilt System which means it banks over by up to forty-five degrees when cornering. In other words, it rides like a scooter but in many ways handles like a bike but with twice the amount of grip. You can even fit an adventure pack and 110/80x14 snow tyres to the alloy rims, something you can’t do with the two-wheeled options.

 

 

 

Power and believe me when I say there’s plenty of it comes from a liquid cooled 346cc single-cylinder engine, the 4-stroke, 4-valve engine mounted within the scooter’s steel frame directly beneath the rider. Kicking out 30hp and 24.5Nm of torque, all the rider has to do is twist the right-hand grip and off it goes with far more gusto than at first expected. Petrol from the 14 litre tank is fed via electronic fuel injection whilst the CVT transmission and dual-drive belt system means the bike takes care of the gear changes; all you have to do is ride it.

 

Hydraulic vented disc brakes all round take care of the retardation whilst the hydro-pneumatic tilting suspension front and rear take care of the bumps, bangs and potholes. And at just 2,180mm long and 800mm wide it takes up less space than one of Yorkshire’s famous puddings whilst the step-through design and 770mm seat height means if you’ve over indulged in said Yorkshire delicacy you won’t have any problems climbing on board.

 

 

 

 

The other striking ability of the Quadro4 is that it stands up all of its own accord whilst it even has a handbrake. All you have to do once behind the handlebars is disengage the brake and release the lever that allows the Quadro4 to tilt. Turn the key, press the starter and twist the right grip is all you need to do get underway, something even the AR managed. Right grip lever does the front brakes, the one of the left grip deploying restrain to all four corners. And if you don’t fancy that the pedal under the rider’s right foot does the exact same job. Please do note though, with the tilting mechanism in play you will need to put a foot down when you come to a halt. But with the wheels straight and the left brake lever pulled, the system temporarily disengages and you can sit with your feet on the foot plates…but don’t let go of the lever!

  

 

 

The instruments are clear enough for a brief glance to tell you just how fast you’re going, the minimal switchgear easy to use whilst the ‘King & Queen’ seat offers plenty of room and comfort for two riders. There’s even a small cubby beneath the seat to stow small items   

Available in a wide variety of just four eye catching colours including the Swiss Red as seen here, you can choose from Snow White, (dwarves optional), Raw Black and Titanium Grey along with a whole host of additional options. Top boxes, wind deflectors, hand protectors and a larger screen are just some of the extras you can lavish on your Quadro4. But whatever you decide on, the best bit of the factory fit options is style. The Quadro4 really does look good and when you take into account the dramatic amount of extra grip the extra pair of wheels and tilting system add you’ll quickly appreciate just how advanced and rider friendly the Quadro4 actually is.

 

A bike that seriously impressed the Aged Rocker, to have a good look round a Quadro4 for yourself give Hayley a bell at DTM Panther Trikes on 01924 235655 or email them at info@dtbpanthertrikes.co.uk